Titans rally past Dawgs; Henry wins

By Ramon Scott
Updated: August 28, 2026

Ramona running back Keegan McElwee

2026 PREP FOOTBALL

Bulldog McElwee rushes for 189 yards, two touchdowns; Ramona led 23-10 before Poway scored twice

EastCountySports.com staff report

POWAY — Ramona was one defensive stand away from securing its first victory of the season.

Instead, Poway produced two fourth-quarter touchdown drives and handed the Bulldogs a difficult 24-23 nonleague loss Friday night.

Ramona led 13-0 after the first quarter and rebuilt that advantage to 23-10 in the fourth behind a dominant performance from senior running back Keegan McElwee. The Bulldogs, however, could not protect the 13-point cushion as Poway scored the game’s final 14 points.

Trevor Barton pulled the Titans within 23-17 on a 2-yard touchdown run. Poway quarterback Trenton Schrecker then completed the comeback with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Trevor Murphy, and Nathan Dann kicked the decisive extra point.

McElwee carried 25 times for 189 yards and scored on runs of 12 and 22 yards for Ramona (0-2). His second touchdown extended the Bulldogs’ lead to 23-10 in the fourth quarter after Ryder Kaufman had kicked a 23-yard field goal.

The Bulldogs established control immediately. Ryan Shaw threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Andre Diaz, and McElwee added his first scoring run as Ramona built a 13-0 opening-quarter advantage.

Poway (2-0) remained within striking distance because of its defense and special teams. Ezekiel Quiroz returned an interception for a touchdown, and Dann kicked a 39-yard field goal to reduce Ramona’s halftime lead to 13-10.

Neither team scored during the third quarter before Ramona stretched its lead twice in the fourth. The Bulldogs could not deliver the closing stop, however, and Poway escaped with its second victory by a combined 17 points after opening the season with a 16-0 shutout of Scripps Ranch.

Shaw completed 10 of 30 passes for 130 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Jordan Howard led Ramona’s receivers with two catches for 38 yards.

Schrecker finished 10 of 20 for 130 yards and the winning touchdown for Poway. Levi Graham caught four passes for 56 yards.

BULLDOGS TURN TOWARD EL CAPITAN

Ramona, a member of the Palomar League, will attempt to break into the win column Friday when it hosts El Capitan.

The Vaqueros improved to 1-1 with a 14-9 victory over Chula Vista despite losing standout running back Angel Castillo on the opening play. Junior Santiago Benitez delivered a strong performance after being pressed into an expanded role.

Poway, which competes in the Avocado East League, visits San Marcos on Friday before continuing a demanding schedule that includes Carlsbad, Mount Miguel and Torrey Pines.

GARDINI LEADS HENRY PAST MISSION BAY

EastCountySports.com staff report

SAN DIEGO — Senior quarterback Madin Gardini passed for three touchdowns and helped Patrick Henry remain unbeaten with a 41-28 nonleague victory over Mission Bay.

Gardini completed 15 of 20 passes for 250 yards and added 60 yards on nine carries for the Patriots (2-0), who have scored 76 points through their first two games.

Cole Farace caught six passes for 97 yards and a touchdown, while Kymani Joeseph finished with four receptions for 81 yards and a score. Joeseph also returned a kickoff 97 yards for another touchdown.

Max Dean added three catches for 32 yards and a touchdown. Cael Betschart scored on the ground and carried three times for 19 yards.

Mission Bay (0-2) received a productive performance from Austin Stefl, who completed 20 of 25 passes for 214 yards and threw two touchdown passes. Sophomore Major Scott caught five passes for 83 yards and a score.

Jayden Marcelino accounted for two touchdowns—one rushing and one receiving—and finished with seven catches for 85 yards. Nestor Bautista rushed nine times for 44 yards and another Buccaneers touchdown.

Mission Bay accumulated most of its offense through the air but was held to 26 net rushing yards. Patrick Henry, meanwhile, finished with 332 yards of offense and supplemented Gardini’s passing with Joeseph’s long kickoff return.

The victory followed Henry’s season-opening 35-30 win over University City.

HENRY TAKES UNBEATEN RECORD TO CHULA VISTA

Patrick Henry visits Chula Vista for another nonleague game Friday at 6:30 p.m.

The Spartans are 0-2 after losses to West Hills and El Capitan, including a 14-9 setback against the Vaqueros. Henry enters the matchup averaging 38 points and more than 380 yards of offense per game, with Gardini producing an average of 348 total yards through the Patriots’ first two victories.